NEWS
Insync Global Titans Fund
15 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Insync Global Titans Fund recorded a return of 1.17% during March and 14.50% for the year to end March 2013.
Read more...
15 Apr 2013 - Insync Global Titans Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | Global equity markets were mixed in March, with rises in the US and Japan offset by subdued European markets impacted by events in Cyprus, and by falls in the Chinese and HK markets. US data continues to be consistent with moderate economic growth, with the US corporate sector more inclined to hoard cash than invest. Europe remains mired in recession, with the Eurozone unemployment rate rising to 12% in February (over 19 million people), the highest rate ever recorded since the EU formed. China’s economy continues to grow but the rate of growth is likely to be lower than it was in the past decade. Markets are being held up by quantitative easing in more parts of the world now, with real growth hard to come by. Only the very best companies are likely to prosper in this sort of environment. The Fund’s unit price increased by 1.2% in March. The solid performance was driven by positive contributions coming from Sanofi, Reckitt Benckiser, Wyndham, BAT and IBM. The biggest detractor to performance was Oracle, which announced lower than expected quarterly earnings on the back of a problematic hardware transition. Insync’s approach is to focus on investing in exceptional businesses with high Return on Invested Capital, strong free cash flow, solid balance sheets, attractive valuation and a long track record of returning cash to shareholders through increasing dividends and share buy-backs. At month-end the Fund's investments had a weighted forecast yield of 2.68%, a PE ratio of 15.5 times and a Return on Equity of 21.5%. There was no currency hedging in place at the end of March. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Platinum International Fund
12 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Platinum International Fund recorded a return of -0.61% over March 2013 and 11.01% over the preceding 12 months.
Read more...
12 Apr 2013 - Platinum International Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | Typically, the Fund's portfolio will have 50% or more net exposure to stocks. The Fund's portfolio is constructed in accordance with Platinum's Investment Methodology. |
| Manager Comments | The Fund is 92% long and 12% short individual shares and indices with cash and liquids at 8% for a net invested position of 80%. The market moved upward in March however $A appreciation saw the MSCI World Index flat in $A terms. Despite concerns over Cyprus markets like France, Germany and the UK were all up 1%. The US market rose 4% on the back of stronger economic data like manufacturing, payroll and industrial production. Emerging markets fell 2% as money flows preferred developed markets and China (-5%). Equities in Japan continued to move higher, up 5%, and the Yen continued its fall on talk of the BoJ using monetary policy to re-inflate the country's declining economy. The manager notes that consistent out-performance and relative over-weight position of Japanese equities continues to contribute to Fund performance. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Morphic Global Opportunities Fund
11 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Morphic Global Opportunities Fund had a sound performance over March 2013 returning 0.99% and 9.34% over the previous six months.
Read more...
11 Apr 2013 - Morphic Global Opportunities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | The Fund amplified its holding in Wells Fargo through a series of short dated call options ahead of the unveiling of a US regulatory report on the capacity of the industry and individual banks to absorb economic shocks. The Manager was confirmed in its expectation that positive results would drive a sharp re-rating, as they have in the past. The Fund also made further gains on a short position in a Hong Kong listed global retailer and its long position in Irish listed cardboard box maker Smurfit Kappa. Stock losers were led by Chinese electric bike battery maker, Tianneng Power, where the market reacted badly to signs of margin pressure despite strong sales growth. The Fund also saw losses in India’s J&K Bank; and Hong Kong property company Emperor and US car parts maker TRW. All except J&K were exited during the month. Gains on market index exposures to Mexico and Turkey were slightly more than offset by losses in Thailand, China and Hong Kong. All of the latter were closed out in the month. Market tone was again dominated by uncertainty in Europe, this time caused by negotiations for a financial bail-out for Cyprus, which included a controversial levy on local bank depositors. As a precaution the Manager trimmed the Fund’s overall exposure, especially to Europe and the Euro, when the Cyprus bail-out terms were first announced. However this proved costly as markets shrugged off these concerns, and the US hit new highs towards the end of the month. Although the Manager partially rebuilt the Fund’s market exposure as its initial concerns about the ramifications of the Cyprus ‘rescue’ package seemed overblown, the Fund’s net investment level remained slightly lower at month end than at the beginning. Within this, the Fund is overweight Japan and the US, and underweight Europe. The Manager’s conviction about the sustainability of recent gains is ebbing as global market returns become increasingly dependent on the US despite deteriorating earnings revisions and economic data there. The Fund remains un-hedged into Australian dollars. The Manager believes slowing mining capital expenditure and falling commodity prices limit the risk of the dollar breaking out of its current range of US$1.02 to US$1.05 even if the RBA makes no further rate cuts. Some of the fund’s yen and Euro exposure is hedged into US dollars. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund
9 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund returns 0.42% for February 2013 and 3.97% for the prior 12 months, ahead of the RBA cash rate.
Read more...
9 Apr 2013 - Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | The S&P/ASX200 Accumulation Index finished down ‐2.21% in March putting an end to a nine month positive streak. Within the Aussie Index, Australian banks continued to perform relatively well and again it was resources that lead the market lower. Of note,both BHP and RIO fell by more than 10%. Concerns out of Cyprus, namely the treatment of bank deposits, and the possible ramifications for other debt ridden European economies forced risk back into the spotlight. Commodity price declines also weighed heavily on our market as lower demand lead to lower spot pricing. The manager makes the following comments regarding each of the strategies; Convergence was the best performing strategy for the month (+0.26%). The Wesfarmers position was the biggest contributor again due to an increase in the value of the protection as the share price fell in line with the market. Long/Short generated a loss for the month (‐0.10%). Gains from holding a long position in Treasury Wines were offset by losses from being long Newcrest Mining and Downer EDI. Mergers and Acquisitions added +0.12% for the month. The best performers were Real Estate Capital Partners USA Property Trust and Challenger Infrastructure Fund. The protective Options strategy was also a small detractor for the month (‐0.04%). Volatility around the Cyprus situation produced good returns, but as the market grew more comfortable with the situation and the Aussie market approached a four day holiday weekend option prices were marked down aggressively. The Yield book provided a positive return of +0.17%. All hybrid instruments were positive for the month but the Macquarie Convertible Preference Security was the biggest contributor with only three months left to run until redemption or conversion, subject to some mandatory conversion conditions. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
9 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund had a positive month returning 1.42% for March 2013 and 14.40% for the preceding 12 months.
Read more...
9 Apr 2013 - Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | The Fund consists of a concentrated long/short portfolio typically comprising 30 to 40 ASX300 listed stocks, generally with a long bias aligned to the overall market direction. There is a slight bias to large cap stocks in the long side of the portfolio, although in a rising market the portfolio will tend to hold smaller caps, including resource stocks, more frequently. The Fund was launched on 17th August 2011 following the resignation of Portfolio Managers Mark Burgess and Kristiaan Rehder from Herschel Asset Management in late July 2011. While at Herschel Burgess and Rehder had managed the Fund under the name of the Herschel Absolute Return Fund. As a result management of the Fund was transferred to Kardinia Capital, a new boutique fund manager 65% owned by Burgess and Rehder, with the balance owned by Bennelong Funds Management. The Fund's investment strategy and prior track record remains intact. |
| Manager Comments | The Australian All Ordinaries Accumulation Index fell 2.2% in March with events in Cyprus and the terms of its bail out affecting investor sentiment. The Australian equity market was particularly weak, under-performing global peers as the mining sector was weighed down by falling commodity prices, and negative sentiment related to property tightening measures in China. The Australian dollar finished the month higher at US$1.04. Most US economic readings surprised on the upside, however Chinese data revealed moderating manufacturing activity combined with higher inflation. This weighed on commodity prices with Resources (-9.6%) the weakest performing sector for the month. Consumer Discretionary (+2.4%), Utilities (+0.7%) and Financials (+0.7%) held up well, whilst Materials (-9.6%), Energy (-3.4%) and REITs (-2.7%) fell sharply. The Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund rose 1.42% in March. Share price index future contracts hedging long exposure, Sirius Resources, Mayne Pharma and Bank of Queensland were all significant contributors to performance, whilst long positions in Rio Tinto, Oil Search and GPT were the largest detractors. The Fund’s net equity market exposure (including derivatives) was progressively reduced to 36.7% (67.9% long and 31.2% short). |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund
8 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund had a strong March (2013) recording 0.69% and 15.46% for the previous 12 months.
Read more...
8 Apr 2013 - Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | The manager notes that stock markets took a breather in March as investors reassessed the outlook after strong returns for several months. European sovereign risks flared again as did concerns about policy tightening in China. The resulting decline in the resources sector pulled the Australian market lower with the ASX 200 finishing 2.7% lower despite global markets posting small gains (MSCI +1.9%). Fund performance was slightly positive due to gains from our shorts in the Materials sector, particularly profit downgrades in the Chemical sector. This was somewhat offset by losses in our short book in Consumer Discretionary. The fund was active in the Energy, Resources and Transport sector during the month. Despite positive global monetary policy settings there has recently been a large divergence in performance between the Resources sector (-11% ytd) and the rest of the market (+5% ytd) and investors will need to consider this when forming views on the growth outlook. The domestic economy has stabilised and the prospect of a majority government by year-end may provide confidence to the business sector. The domestic earnings picture is still sluggish though and ultimately needs to improve for stocks to push higher. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
K2 Select International Absolute Return Fund
5 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The K2 Select International Absolute Return Fund delivers a sound performance of 0.7% in February 2013 and 10.6% over the previous 12 months.
Read more...
5 Apr 2013 - K2 Select International Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | Regional performance in global equities was relatively mixed, with positive returns in the US and Japan offset by falls in S. Korea, China and Hong Kong. In the US data continues to be consistent with a moderate economic recovery. In stark contrast, Europe remains in its own world of pain. Inconclusive Italian elections and a banking “bail-in” in Cyprus are uncomfortable reminders of a crisis which is far from over. It is no surprise that March PMI’s for the Eurozone fell further and reflect ongoing recessionary conditions in the region. While the data in China remains broadly consistent with moderate economic recovery, the market focus was firmly on the reform agenda of the new administration. There seems to be an increasing acceptance by key policymakers of a further moderation in medium term growth while urgently needed reforms in the financial system are implemented. The fund chose to actively reduce exposure to equity markets during the month of March to just below 90% for the first time since September the 6th 2012. While not calling for an imminent correction the manager is conscious that markets have moved a long way in a short period, and having captured most of that upside felt it was prudent to lower exposure. Regionally performance during the month was broad based for the fund, with the main negative coming from the strengthening AUD where the fund is currently only 50% hedged. A correction in the short term certainly can’t be discounted, especially as investors approach the traditional “sell in May” seasonal weakness. The risks are well known, high sovereign debt levels lead to increasingly difficult fiscal decisions ahead for most developed nations, where welfare budgets in particular are running at unsustainable levels. Nevertheless in spite of these risks, it is important to keep focused on the medium term fundamentals for equities, which remain compelling in the manager's opinion. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Allard Investment Fund
4 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Allard Investment Fund reports a return of 1.4% for February 2013 and 11.8% for the preceding 12 months.
Read more...
4 Apr 2013 - Allard Investment Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | The Fund's longer term record shows an above benchmark return over 3, 5 and 7 years with volatility 70% of the Index benchmark (MSCI Asia-Pacific ex Japan in $A). The Fund's cash holdings have acted to improve performance in draw-downs and dampen volatility. The portfolio is well diversified with 27.7% of holdings in China/HK and 11.8% in Singapore. Cash is currently at 34.4% and the Australian exposure is 2.2%. Sector exposure is also well diversified with large exposures to financials, conglomerates and utilities. The top 5 holdings are 35.2% of the portfolio. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Perpetual Wholesale SHARE-PLUS Long-Short Fund
3 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Perpetual Wholesale SHARE-PLUS Long-Short Fund records a return of 5.25% for February 2013, a notable return for a long-short fund in buoyant market, and 32.17% for the 12 months to February.
Read more...
3 Apr 2013 - Perpetual Wholesale SHARE-PLUS Long-Short Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | Perpetual researches companies of all sizes using consistent share selection criteria. Perpetual's priority is to select those companies that represent the best investment quality and are appropriately priced. In determining investment quality, investments are carefully selected on the basis of four key investment criteria: -conservative debt levels -sound management -quality business and -in the case of industrial shares, recurring earnings In addition, Perpetual aims to take short positions in Australian shares that it believes will fall in value. The Short positions are determined based on each stock's expected returns and the investment constraints (designed to reduce the risks associated with taking short positions). Derivatives may also be used in managing the fund. The Fund's investment universe allows it to invest from time to time directly or indirectly in stocks listed on sharemarket exchanges outside Australia. To help manage the risk profile of the Fund relative to the Australian stockmarket, exposure to stocks listed outside of Australia is limited to 20% and is generally hedged to the Australian dollar to the extent reasonably practical. |
| Manager Comments | The Australian equity market, as measured by the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index, rose by 5.3% during February. Equity markets continued their strong start to the year, with most regional bourses now firmly in bull market territory. Whilst some markets faltered late in the month due to concerns over US monetary and fiscal policy and an inconclusive Italian election, the Australian market pushed on to new 4 year highs. The local market was buoyed by an earnings season which, on the balance, met or beat market expectations. As a whole, industrial stocks (+6.9%) outperformed resource stocks (+0.4%), while large cap stocks (+4.9%) outperformed small cap stocks (+0.9%). In major company news, a predominantly positive reporting season dominated the headlines. The outlook in some sectors remains challenging,but those companies that were able to offer upbeat guidance were strongly rewarded by the market. Cost reductions remained a familiar theme, as investors continue to wait for signs of meaningful top line revenue growth. The Fund’s largest overweight positions include general insurer Insurance Australia Group, rail freight operator Aurizon and casino operator Crown. Insurance Australia Group is a market leader and operates in a duopoly in personal lines. Aurizon operates three main businesses including coal, freight, and network services primarily involved in the transportation of coal from mine to port. The Fund is underweight ANZ and Commonwealth Bank. The largest short positions in the Fund at the end of the month were Worley Parsons and CFS Retail Trust. The Fund is currently positioned 120.0% long (including cash) and 20.0% short. Whilst the outlook is improving, global markets remain hampered by a level of political and economic uncertainty. The Australian market is not immune from these forces; however, during periods of uncertainty and volatility, patient investors are often presented with the opportunity to acquire very high quality companies at attractive valuations. The portfolio manager believes there are a number of such opportunities at present, although these opportunities are becoming fewer. Further, recent interest rate cuts have also increased the relative attractiveness of sound, fully franked dividend streams offered by quality equities in comparison to declining term deposit rates. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Whitehaven SPC Correlation Fund
2 Apr 2013 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Whitehaven SPC Fund recorded a February 2013 return of 0.42% with the annual return 18.69%, a solid return in a very low volatility environment.
Read more...
2 Apr 2013 - Whitehaven SPC Correlation Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
| Report Date | |
| Manager | |
| Fund Name | |
| Strategy | |
| Latest Return Date | |
| Latest Return | |
| Latest 6 Months | |
| Latest 12 Months | |
| Latest 24 Months | |
| Annualised Since Inception | |
| Inception Date | |
| FUM (millions) | |
| Fund Overview | |
| Manager Comments | February saw continuing strength in risk assets with ongoing global expansive monetary policy , a perception Japanese equities have bottomed and possible global equity short covering as debate intensifies on whether the great rotation from bonds to equities has started. The fund's strategies are by design defensive. In other words the fund returns are best when markets are volatile. This normally occurs when equity markets are falling. This relationship with volatility is demonstrated by the fund's high correlation with the VIX volatility index (59%). Over 2013 volatility has fallen and is approaching lows not seen since before the GFC in 2007. This is the dominant explanatory factor as to why the fund returns are more muted this year compared to its previous track record. However, it’s worth noting that the fund’s trading style has still generated positive returns while other defensive assets have fallen substantially in 2013. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
